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[Stripper13]

I'd say there's reasonable arguments for all three of them.

Nintendo has been far and away the least interesting to developers/publishers, and on a personal level - is distancing itself further and further from what I'd like/expect from them.
They'd still be deeply missed - but I it's arguably a smaller number of people/stakeholders that would miss their contribution.
Personally, I don't think I would be gaming if it weren't for Mario and Nintendo's ongoing first-party titles - but again, they're distancing themselves.

I think the Industry would miss Microsoft. Less history yes, less to offer IP-wise I guess, but they offer a lot to developers/publishers. XBL Marketplace, good advertising opportunities (and no, I'm not being sarcastic - it is a genuine advantage when it's done well), some solid IPs to keep people interested and buying consoles, and I suppose some relatively impressive hardware design (give or take the RROD early-gen issues). I also think the Industry would still be in a poor-state online-wise if it wasn't for Microsofts massive leaps forward and the setting of expectations for an acceptable online interface.

Sony would be missed - no doubt. Sheer number of consoles sold and software volumes ensure that. They're also relatively good at handling developers and cultivating software/IPs. They don't always sell fantastic, but the quality is there with some questionable titles here and there.
That said, they need to step out in front again - be the drivers of innovation and interesting hardware/UIs. PS4 seems like a significant step in the right direction while we wait for Microsoft's next move.

 

[spisho]

Microsoft, because they brought charging for shit to a whole new level.

 

[PuppetMaster]

Gears would live on without MS

 

[libregkd]

People are also completely forgetting titles that were released on the original Xbox.

To be fair, I think Microsoft seemed to have forgotten about those as well :/

 

[ClovingWestbrook]

Most people would have said Xbox regardless. It kills some people to their very core that the Xbox brand is as successful as it is. They didn't need supposed negative rumors about the next xbox to basically be saying that they are the company people most want to see leave the industry, which is what this thread is about in a roundabout way.

People don't like it when Sony isn't easily on top.

Well, I am not a fan of Microsoft requiring people to pay in order to play online. That is one of my biggest complaints with Microsoft. Them trying to moneyhat for exclusive DLC or whatever doesn't bother me. Them trying to cater to the casual doesn't bother me. But their push to monetize every single thing about this industry offends me as someone who enjoys video games.

This thread wasn't meant to show that people want MS to leave the industry. Nintendo gets a lot more shit on this board than MS up until recently, and for good reason. I am actually surprised at the amount of people responding with Microsoft.

 

[MormaPope]

Microsoft. Least amount of exclusive IP's and not much Japanese support.

Do you not remember Lost Odyssey, Blue Dragon, and the limited exclusivity Tales of Vesperia had for the 360 early this gen? Those attempts did jack turkey, the focus on Japanese titles didn't help the Xbox brand in Japan at all.

To be fair, I think Microsoft seemed to have forgotten about those as well :/

People want a new Perfect Dark or Killer Instinct, all I want is the return of this little dude.

 

[Mikey Jr.]

MS I guess. But thats because of their pretty low stable of first party IP's.

 

[Surface of Me]

Ok...but what are they doing now? And what are they doing for the industry next? I think that's the crux for the question at hand.

also it would be easy to play devils advocate with the points you raised. for example I find it silly to compliment their hardware design considering all they did was release a simplified PC. and what do we really know about their 3rd party relations? perhaps they hurt the industry by spreading it more thin. it certainly didn't help Sony or Nintendo. then one could go on to argue they've poisoned the industry with Live, an ad heavy interface, and soon we could see always online etc

live has helped the industry(console wise) a great deal

 

[Psycho_Mantis]

Microsoft is most relevant console maker today. Factually. They have the biggest sales (behind Wii) and the best thirdparty support. PS lost its relevance. That is why you call it a disaster. And btw, PS1 sold over 100 million without losing money, PS2 sold 160 million without losing money. I think you can see how much they dropped.

Again relevancy is not judged by current consoles but I will play your game.

PS3 is pretty much on par with the 360 in terms of sales and iirc they usually outsell them every year WW. PS consoles have the best third party support because they receive both western third party support and Japanese third party support. PS has not lots its relevance as the PS3 is the best selling console WW iirc. PS3 was a financial failure that did hurt the brand name but its no where close to being irrelevant. Even with the botched launch and year late release Sony still handily took Europe and outsold the xbox nearly 8:1 in Japan. Essentially I see PS as a WW brand.

Do you not remember Lost Odyssey, Blue Dragon, and the limited exclusivity Tales of Vesperia had for the 360 early this gen? Those attempts did jack turkey, the focus on Japanese titles didn't help the Xbox brand in Japan at all.

And do you know why they did jack shit. Its like Sony releasing the PS in the West with AC, Deus Ex, and ME while missing 90% of the third party support. Japanese gamers, no gamers in general, are not stupid. They saw that 90% of the games were not going to come out on it so they dropped it.

First party titles don't expand or help the entire industry as much as having a platform where third party developers can flourish.

I disagree. Uncharted has had a big impact on third party title's imo, GT popularised sim racing, Halo popularised online shooters on consoles before COD came, and without Nintendo I am sure the platformer genre would be pretty dead right now.

 

[MormaPope]

MS I guess. But thats because of their pretty low stable of first party IP's.

First party titles don't expand or help the entire industry as much as having a platform where third party developers can flourish.

 

[buhdeh]

The one with the laughable exclusive stable, same generic controls as the dual shock 1, and 3rd party games I could play elsewhere.

Don't think Microsoft allows you to use dual shock on the 360, brah.

 

[Gummb]

This topic is fascinating. For one, I wonder if the extreme anti-Microsoft reaction is purely because of the Durango information. I feel like Microsoft has done a lot to push profitability for 3rd parties, that they very well could be missed. Their Arcade platform is what made indie development visible on the home consoles. Xbox Live pushed gamers into virtual space more than PC ever did. They nearly perfected classic controls with their 360 controller. Their Kinect platform has changed living room space for millions.

I think people are jumping with their anti-Microsoft ammo all too easily. While it's definitely justified that this topic has turned into another anti-Microsoft topic, I find it incredibly interesting.

For me, personally, I think I would miss Nintendo the most for Pokemon, Mario, Zelda, Metroid, Pikmin, Star Fox, and all their other wonderful IPs. I would also really miss their hardware, especially the Wii. It was such a refreshing platform when in contrast with my Xbox 360 and PC.

Sony is interesting. After exploding with the PS1 and 2, they have walked a fine line of not doing anything radically different from their competitors while also providing solid experiences on every front. I need to get a PS4 so that I can jump back into their fantastic development studios. Thank god The Last Guardian never released, or I would have been forced to get a PS4.

So, I don't know how to answer this question, so I won't.

 

[Nealand Liquor]

So does that mean you are saying that the PS3 Fanboys are the ones answering now?

Or does it mean if you say anything other than MS you HAVE to be a fanboy?

Surely seems that way.

 

[Monty Mole]

I would say Microsoft too. But when it comes to ip I think the only Classic ip MS has is Halo. While Sony has GT, GOW, Ratchet. If the ip is more then 10 years and still sells well its def a classic.

Well that's Ratchet out of the equation then

 

[C4Lukins]

Do you not remember Lost Odyssey, Blue Dragon, and the limited exclusivity Tales of Vesperia had for the 360 early this gen? Those attempts did jack turkey, the focus on Japanese titles didn't help the Xbox brand in Japan at all.



People want a new Perfect Dark or Killer Instinct, all I want is the return of this little dude.

I would at least like to see a really good 2D platformer for this franchise. Or maybe it would be more like Contra considering the material.

MS tried to win over this crowd initially but the games sold like shit. I wonder if now that they have eaten into the casual/ Nintendo fanbase if maybe a Kameo /Conker/ Banjo would do much better now.

 

[snap0212]

Their Kinect platform has changed living room space for millions.

Yeah, but only because the camera isn't cool with the coffee table being in its way.

 

[Flatline]

It would have been much harder to decide 2-3 years ago but now it's definitely Microsoft.


They ruined the few exclusive franchises they had by corporate micromanaging (Halo 4 comes to mind and probably Fable after that Kinect disaster) they focused on casual crap like Kinect and now they're trying to screw the consumers with abhorrent policies like always-online. Ballmer is an incompetent stubborn ass, I hope he fails at everything now.

 

[C4Lukins]

Well that's Ratchet out of the equation then

Really as much as I love Playstation exclusives, you have to go back to PS1 era to really call anything classic, unless you are willing to accept XBOX franchises as also being classic. And when you go back to the PS1 days and look at what is currently successful, I think only Gran Turismo would apply. If Wipeout had been a consistent seller then maybe that as well. It is a cult classic at least even if we never see another entry. Oh yeah and I almost forgot Twisted Metal. It may have not continued to be a big franchise, but the first two and Black are classic IMO.

 

[POWERSPHERE]

Microsoft. I didn't play a single exclusive on the 360 and I think Sony and Nintendo both offer more interesting products

 

[pants]

Most people would have said Xbox regardless. It kills some people to their very core that the Xbox brand is as successful as it is. They didn't need supposed negative rumors about the next xbox to basically be saying that they are the company people most want to see leave the industry, which is what this thread is about in a roundabout way.

Why are you bringing your persecution complex into this thread? :lol

 

[IHaveCandy]

Sega's had a rough post-hardware life, but I still miss them more than Sony and MS.

How can you miss something that isn't gone?

 

[Jamix012]

Its too early for the Vita and it don't matter how you see the PS3
Beven if the Vita is a failure Sony currently is the only company to sell over 70 million with all their consoles
So yes

This is some beautiful spin right here. Can I try?
The % Jump from Microsoft's 1st to it's 2nd console is larger than any 1st to 2nd console jump since the 80s.
Sega is the only handheld manufacturer to have all their dedicated handhelds sell over 10 million (all one of them. I'm also counting the virtual boy as a handheld. Nomad wasn't a "dedicated" handheld)
Nintendo is the only company with 8 consoles to sell over 20 million units. Sony only has 4.

 

[Pennywise]

Do you not remember Lost Odyssey, Blue Dragon, and the limited exclusivity Tales of Vesperia had for the 360 early this gen? Those attempts did jack turkey, the focus on Japanese titles didn't help the Xbox brand in Japan at all.

There's more than just making games...
Japanese Xbox marketing was horrible, even Sakaguchi said that while promoting his games.

 

[SenjutsuSage]

I think the fact that Sony did so, so many things wrong this generation and still managed to sell about as much current gen consoles as Microsoft (and at a faster pace) proves you wrong when you say PlayStation as a brand lost its relevance.

It didn't lose its relevance, but it most certainly lost that armor of invincibility that it once had. People are of this belief that Sony was largely built on its first parties, when in fact they were largely built on the backs of incredible third party titles, that just happened to be exclusives by default. This doesn't mean they don't have good first parties, but third parties made Playstation what it is today, and the Playstation brand would have been smothered a long time ago without its monstrous third party support, the best of which were mostly exclusives.

It's no coincidence that solely by challenging Sony so impressively on the third party front, the Xbox brand has risen to the level of popularity that it has, and the playstation brand, which once ruled not just the USA, but the world, no longer does. Sony's First Party is definitely stronger overall, but it hasn't translated to the kind of sales advantage that most seem to always believe, even in spite of evidence, that Sony should have over Microsoft. Most of the people that go crazy over Sony's first party lineup don't even buy half the stuff that's there, and usually have no intention to, but somehow everybody talks about the entire first party, knowing they don't support some of that incredible content nearly as much as they claim they do.

I'm a huge fan of the Playstation brand also, but Microsoft gets way more shit than they deserve. Separately, people talk about all the mistakes that Sony made with the PS3, but clearly they didn't make nearly as many mistakes as some people would have you believe, which is why they can still sell over 70+ million worldwide and be as close to the Xbox 360 as it is. I would advise that people thinking the new Xbox are making all sorts of mistakes that will surely doom it to the benefit of the PS4, take a long hard look at how the PS3 sold despite all the doom and gloom. Now consider for a moment that Microsoft hasn't even showcased their new system yet and already people are suggesting they are doomed... Overreaction?

 

[SteeloDMZ]

Microsoft, then Sony then Ninty.

 

[AniHawk]

song and nintendo have had their shares of fuckups, but at least they didn't try to kill third-party sega.

 

[Gowans]

People are dreaming staying Microsoft, the were the main inovator this gen that everyone copied.

If they weren't around we would be in the past with many features for gamers.

 

[Flatline]

Why are you bringing your persecution complex into this thread? :lol

Seriously, what's up with some people lately with these stupid conspiracy theories?

We're not some evil cult that hates Microsoft and secretly plots against them, Microsoft brought it on themselves after 2 years of continuously treating gamers like complete morons. So please, stop with this bullshit.

 

[ClovingWestbrook]

It didn't lose its relevance, but it most certainly lost that armor of invincibility that it once had. People are of this belief that Sony was largely built on its first parties, when in fact they were largely built on the backs of incredible third party titles, that just happened to be exclusives by default. This doesn't mean they don't have good first parties, but third parties made Playstation what it is today, and the Playstation brand would have been smothered a long time ago without its monstrous third party support, the best of which were mostly exclusives.

It's no coincidence that solely by challenging Sony so impressively on the third party front, the Xbox brand has risen to the level of popularity that it has, and the playstation brand, which once ruled not just the USA, but the world, no longer does. Sony's First Party is definitely stronger overall, but it hasn't translated to the kind of sales advantage that most seem to always believe, even in spite of evidence, that Sony should have over Microsoft. Most of the people that go crazy over Sony's first party lineup don't even buy half the stuff that's there, and usually have no intention to, but somehow

I'm a huge fan of the Playstation brand also, but Microsoft gets way more shit than they deserve. Separately, people talk about all the mistakes that Sony made with the PS3, but clearly they didn't make nearly as many mistakes as some people would have you believe, which is why they can still sell over 70+ million worldwide and be as close to the Xbox 360 as it is. I would advise that people thinking the new Xbox are making all sorts of mistakes that will surely doom it to the benefit of the PS4, take a long hard look at how the PS3 sold despite all the doom and gloom. Now consider for a moment that Microsoft hasn't even showcased their new system yet and already people are suggesting they are doomed... Overreaction?

Sony has done a good job at rescuing itself BUT let's not act as though Sony is in a good position yet. The company had to do DRASTIC measures that severely limited it's ability to make a profit. Just because it has sold 70+ million PS3's doesn't mean it's all good.

Also, people are arguing that IF the rumors of the Durango are true that it will have a significant affect on Microsoft's ability to 'win' this generation. I don't see how it won't.

 

[SilentxS3ud]

Personally, I'd miss Nintendo the least. But apparently the majority of people would miss MS as we've seen in this thread.

 

[88random]

Obviously Microsoft. Not as much history and the heritage as the other two.

 

[ThisWreckage]

Microsoft. They're easily the most anti-consumer of the three and that was before the Durango rumor onslaught.

 

[SenjutsuSage]

Seriously, what's up with some people lately with these stupid conspiracy theories?

We're not some evil cult that hates Microsoft and secretly plots against them, Microsoft brought it on themselves after 2 years of continuously treating gamers like complete morons. So please, stop with this bullshit.

Says the leader of that evil cult

I think people who talk like this are the ones who need to stop with the bullshit. You're so busy playing your gotcha game industry games that for all the talk about Microsoft treating gamers like idiots, 360 gamers still had a very impressive lineup of games to play over the last 2 years. What, Do you guys honestly believe that because most of them aren't first party, or the ratio of first party to third party isn't as impressive as Sony's, that these games millions of gamers are enjoying don't count? I couldn't give a damn what Microsoft chooses to talk about in their press conferences, so long as incredible games are still flowing.

Get real.

 

[Lucent]

Microsoft

First post gets it for me.

 

[MormaPope]

Seriously, what's up with some people lately with these stupid conspiracy theories?

We're not some evil cult that hates Microsoft and secretly plots against them, Microsoft brought it on themselves after 2 years of continuously treating gamers like complete morons. So please, stop with this bullshit.

You didn't answer with the perspective of a developer or publisher in the industry, you answered with your own perspective in mind.

There's more than just making games...
Japanese Xbox marketing was horrible, even Sakaguchi said that while promoting his games.

Was it on par with how Sony's been marketing their first party titles recently?

Spoiler

I'm half kidding.

 

[Universaldamps]

microsoft!

 

[jaosobno]

Microsoft. No doubt about it.

 

[snap0212]

Says the leader of that evil cult

I think people who talk like this are the ones who need to stop with the bullshit. You're so busy playing your gotcha game industry games that for all the talk about Microsoft treating gamers like idiots, 360 gamers still had a very impressive lineup of games to play over the last 2 years. What, Do you guys honestly believe that because most of them aren't first party, or the ratio of first party to third party isn't as impressive as Sony's, that these games millions of gamers are enjoying don't count?

Get real.

My main problem is that their focus seems to have shifted. What I like on my Xbox seems to be the side-product these days and not the focus of the Xbox division. That's perfectly fine for them but I don't like it.

 

[Animator]

god of war and uncharted are classic IPs now?

Why wouldn't they be?

 

[Kageshinzo]

Nintendo is the only company so far to actively lose out on third party games. That's already the industry not caring.

And yet I have a feeling that Nintendo will still outlast Sony and Microsoft regardless of the Western devs not supporting it. They're centric in Japan and from what I see, they couldn't care less if they dominate in the West.

As for the question, Microsoft. It's still a kid in the video game industry history. It will not be missed.

 

[Sendou]

Microsoft funds the smallest selection of games and doesn't make that swell hardware so I'm going to say them.

 

[MormaPope]

And yet I have a feeling that Nintendo will still outlast Sony and Microsoft regardless of the Western devs not supporting it. They're centric in Japan and from what I see, they couldn't care less if they dominate in the West.

As for the question, Microsoft. It's still a kid in the video game industry history. It will not be missed.

The Playstation brand is one gen older than the Xbox brand.

 

[SenjutsuSage]

My main problem is that their focus seems to have shifted. What I like on my Xbox seems to be the side-product these days and not the focus of the Xbox division. That's perfectly fine for them but I don't like it.

Ahh, okay, that's fair. And I actually agree. I just find it so awkward when people seem to be pretending that the Xbox 360 doesn't have great games simply because most of the best content is third party, and that's usually where you tend to look for most of the "Wow!" releases on Xbox, although the Xbox brand has its share of amazing first party releases, just not as diverse a lineup as Sony, which is why I think Sony's first party is better, but it took Sony some time to build that up, so who knows what Microsoft's first party could be like on their third go around.

They've never seemed to aggressive in building proper console devs before the start of a new gen as they seem to currently be for the next xbox. They've shifted around people and teams, making them more console centric studios. There are some personal gems in the Xbox brand lineup, however. Blue Dragon and Lost Odyssey are still two of my favorite games this gen, Alan Wake, Halo 4, Halo Reach and the Forza titles. Gears I feel is overrated, only liked the first game, Crackdown terrible, Fable huge disappointment this gen. Shame that of all the first party titles I liked on the Xbox 360, I'm not so sure that there will be anything done with any of them, except Forza and Halo.

 

[Terrell]

If we're speaking strictly from an industry POV...?

Nintendo.


If publishers (and, to a lesser extent, developers) respected them and their business, they've sure had an interesting way of showing it the past 10 years.

They'd be mourned the loudest with hollow words, but likely missed the least. Never mind that it would be crushing for the industry and do more damage to the industry than any publisher or hardware competitor would ever admit to.

From a consumer POV and what I'd WANT to pick, it'd be a different story.

 

[SirIgbyCeaser]

imagine the mess of sony's first party needing to look for new work.

MS for sure, PC is an open platform, and offers everything the xbox offers.

 

[Nose Master]

Microsoft and Sony are basically the same thing. They're both offering the same product, in different ways. Losing Nintendo would be the only one that would be really crazy, and something where you'd be missing a truly unique product. Neither Sony or Microsoft have anything even close to interesting regarding first party titles.

 

[Spinluck]

This topic is fascinating. For one, I wonder if the extreme anti-Microsoft reaction is purely because of the Durango information. I feel like Microsoft has done a lot to push profitability for 3rd parties, that they very well could be missed. Their Arcade platform is what made indie development visible on the home consoles. Xbox Live pushed gamers into virtual space more than PC ever did. They nearly perfected classic controls with their 360 controller. Their Kinect platform has changed living room space for millions.

I think people are jumping with their anti-Microsoft ammo all too easily. While it's definitely justified that this topic has turned into another anti-Microsoft topic, I find it incredibly interesting.

For me, personally, I think I would miss Nintendo the most for Pokemon, Mario, Zelda, Metroid, Pikmin, Star Fox, and all their other wonderful IPs. I would also really miss their hardware, especially the Wii. It was such a refreshing platform when in contrast with my Xbox 360 and PC.

Sony is interesting. After exploding with the PS1 and 2, they have walked a fine line of not doing anything radically different from their competitors while also providing solid experiences on every front. I need to get a PS4 so that I can jump back into their fantastic development studios. Thank god The Last Guardian never released, or I would have been forced to get a PS4.

So, I don't know how to answer this question, so I won't.

I don't want any of the 3 companies to meet their demise in the gaming market. I liked the 3, and the competition is REALLY needed.

Yea, MS has done a lot for 3rd parties, but none of that trumps all the 3rd party IP's born on Playstation platforms. And their 1st party outside a very few are forgettable to non-existent.

Maybe some of it has to do with the Durango rumors, I honestly just see it as MS has no memorable gaming characters. Halo really is their saving grace, because I believe that's bigger than any Sony IP except for Gran Turismo. But even with that, Sony's got quantity and quality when it comes to 1st party, and every gen they're dishing out new IP's.

 

[Andvary]

Microsoft.

 

[Joe White]

This thread wasn't meant to show that people want MS to leave the industry. Nintendo gets a lot more shit on this board than MS up until recently, and for good reason. I am actually surprised at the amount of people responding with Microsoft.

Timing could have been better for this kind of questioning. Current rumors and speculations related on Durango basically promotes it as the anti-consumer product of the year and people don't want that. So, it shouldn't be surprise to see so many Microsoft responds.

I would like to see this question raised again after we have actual knowledge about Microsoft's offering for the next xbox.

 

[Kageshinzo]

The Playstation brand is one gen older than the Xbox brand.

7 years is an awfully long time in an industry that got its present day reboot in 1985.